The sharp clang of the school bell echoed through the corridors, releasing a tide of students that surged toward the cafeteria.
Under the hum of fluorescent lights, some eagerly queued for steaming trays of rice and miso soup, while others carried their lunches in neatly wrapped boxes, the scent of cooked grains and broth mingling with bursts of chatter and laughter.
Sachiko's pulse quickened. I need to know. Was he the boy I met back then? I'm certain of it… those eyes, they were the same. I can't let this slip by.
She spun on her heel, calling out, "Hey, Kawaguchi!"
But the hallway was already thinning, and the boy she sought had vanished into the sea of uniforms.
"He already left? Why is he always in such a hurry?" she murmured, frustration creasing her brow.
"Sachiko, let's have lunch together," Naomi's warm voice broke through, her bento unwrapped with a soft snap of cloth.
Sachiko nodded, sliding onto the bench beside her friend, the buzz of other students creating a comforting background hum.
Far down the corridor, Tetsuo walked with easy, unintended confidence, sunlight spilling across his tall frame through the classroom windows.
A group of second-year girls huddled nearby, their whispers trailing behind him like an invisible tether.
"Wow… that guy is seriously tall and handsome. Do you think he's available?" one whispered, her cheeks pink with excitement.
"Look, he's a first-year. Why would you be interested in a boy in a lower grade?" the other girl scoffed softly.
"When it comes to love, age doesn't matter," the first girl countered slyly, her eyes never leaving Tetsuo.
"Honestly, what am I going to do with you?" the other sighed, shaking her head with a smirk.
Tetsuo, oblivious, turned a corner—and collided with a girl rushing past. Her books tumbled across the floor.
"Sorry," he said quickly, stepping back.
She bent to gather them, her expression calm, her eyes sharp and unreadable as they met his.
For a fleeting moment, his skin prickled with unease, as if something unseen had passed between them.
Then she was gone, leaving him with the faint echo of her gaze.
In another wing of the school, Makoto stretched with a yawn.
"I'm glad I studied hard to get in. This place is more prestigious than I thought. Well then… lunch." He rubbed the back of his neck casually.
"Kurai, wait up!" Shino's timid voice called after him.
Makoto glanced back. "Huh? What's up?"
Shino hurried over, holding out a book. "You left this on your desk." His fingers twisted nervously around the edges.
"Oh, thanks. If that's all, I'll be on my way. See you." Makoto took the book and turned, already striding off.
"W–wait a second! Please… wait!"
Makoto sighed, pivoting back. "What is it now?"
Shino's cheeks flushed. "I… I was wondering if you could come with me to the basketball club. I want to sign up, but… I'm nervous to go alone." He fiddled with his hands, eyes dropping.
This guy is going to be a target for bullies. He's too weak and shy for a boy... I'll probably have to stick around him and prevent that. However, that's going to be a pain. What I don't understand, though, is why out of everyone in our class, he chose me to accompany him.
"Is that a yes?" Shino asked, hopeful.
Makoto exhaled. "Fine. Let's go. But this is the first and last time. I'm only doing it because you returned my book." His tone softened almost imperceptibly as they headed toward the gym.
The rhythmic thump of basketballs grew louder as they neared the court, sneakers squeaking across polished wood.
Through the open doors, a figure soared upward, slamming the ball into the hoop with an effortless dunk.
"Whoa! That was amazing!" Shino's voice cracked with excitement, his eyes wide.
"And that's game! Not bad, Takahiro, but you still haven't won against me to this day," the boy who dunked laughed, brushing sweat from his brow.
"Well, that's because you're as agile as ever, Yukio," Takahiro smiled.
Takahiro's gaze flickered to Shino and Makoto. Yukio might be as good as his older brother when he was in his third year, he thought quietly.
"Hey, Yukio," Takahiro said, "looks like your dunk drew an audience. We're short on players—why not try to recruit them?"
"Good idea. It's just the two of us—'short-handed' is putting it lightly, so it's worth the shot," Yukio chuckled, walking toward Makoto and Shino. His friendly smile radiated easy charisma.
"He's coming over…" Shino's stomach twisted nervously.
"Hey there—you two are freshmen, right? I'm Yukio Hamaguchi, third-year, captain of the basketball team."
Shino bowed slightly, voice spilling out too fast. "Nice to meet you! I'm Katsuragi Shino! I—I came to ask if I could join the club!" His cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
"I like your energy! Sure thing, you can start training after school today," Yukio said with an encouraging smile. "And you? Do you wish to join as well?" he asked, turning to Makoto.
"No, I'm not really a fan of the sport. I just followed him here so he could ask to join. Besides, it would be too much work for me," Makoto replied just as the bell rang sharply, slicing through the moment.
"Damn, lunchtime is over... I'm going to starve until school ends. Let's go, Katsuragi. Class is about to start."
"Wait up, Kurai! See you later, upperclassmen!"
"So, what did they say?" Takahiro asked eagerly.
"Let's just say we have an extra member," Yukio replied with a grin.
"By the way, did you know that the observant one was famous in junior high for basketball? Makoto Kurai—one of the best point guards in the district back then. He stopped playing a while back... I wonder why?"
"This year is going to be one of the best, I'm certain," Yukio said to himself with a smile.
"I hope we can enter the tournament this year. If we don't, we won't make it to the inter-high, and we won't be able to reach our dream," Takahiro said, determination burning in his eyes.
"We will. I'll make sure of it," Yukio replied firmly.
In the classroom, Hayami-sensei's voice carried as he pointed to a diagram on the board. "As shown in this projection, we can see that oxygen is diffusing across the walls of the capillaries. This is known as the process of gaseous exchange. Furthermore—"
But the bell rang suddenly, signaling the end of the day.
"And the bell marks the end of the day. Read up more on the topic, and please note that starting tomorrow, I will not be teaching every subject. The handbook issued to all of you has the timetable for your classes. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow," Hayami-sensei said, gathering his materials.
Sachiko's heart thudded again. I can't miss my chance again, she thought, spinning on her heel.
"Hey, Kawaguchi—"
But the hallway was empty.
"What? He already left?! Why is he always in such a hurry?" Sachiko asked herself, biting her lip.
"Hey, Sachiko, let's go! Karaoke awaits us!" Naomi called, waving excitedly.
"Alright, let me pack my bag first."
Outside the gates, Usagi stood waiting patiently, her face brightening when her brother appeared.
"Usagi, sorry for keeping you waiting. Were you waiting long?"
"No, I practically just got here."
"Okay, let's go home," Tetsuo said softly.
Usagi nodded happily, linking arms with her brother as they walked.
"So, how was your ranking in the entrance exams? Was it good?"
"You could say so... I came in first place."
"What?! Good job, big brother! What was your score?" Usagi's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"I got a perfect score in all the subjects I took."
"Whoa! That's so cool! I'm so proud of you!"
"Thank you, but it's not really all that great," Tetsuo said, shrugging modestly.
Usagi pouted, puffing her cheeks. Honestly. Can't he take pride in anything he accomplished?
And yet, as the two walked side by side, their figures stretched in the setting sun, there was no mistaking the quiet bond that held them close.